From Hartford....

Ray Hackett

Tuesday

May 1, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 1, 2007 at 1:14 AM

The legislature's finance committee this afternoon voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 937, an act that increases from $10 million to $50 million the amount the state can spend on enhancing the military value of the Groton Sub Base (in an effort to avoid future targeting of the base for closure) and creating an Office of Military Affairs. If created, that office will be run by an executive director appointed by the head of the Department of Economic & Community Development.

There was, however, an amendment being proposed that would add a whle new wrinkle to that idea. The amendment, however, was never called. But according to the legislature's Web page, this is what the amendment called for...

(g) The Business Advocate shall: (1) Coordinate state and local efforts to prevent the closure or downsizing of Connecticut military facilities, particularly the United States Naval Submarine Base-New London, located in Groton; (2) maximize the state's input into the federal Base Realignment and Closure or "BRAC" process, including, but not limited to, (A) act as a liaison to the state's congressional delegation on defense, military and BRAC issues, and (B) act as a liaison to consultant lobbyists hired by the state to assist in monitoring activities related to BRAC; (3) encourage the relocation of military missions to the state; (4) coordinate state and local efforts to enhance the quality of life of all branches of military personnel and their families living or working in Connecticut; (5) review and make recommendations for state policies that affect Connecticut's military facilities and defense and homeland security industries; (6) coordinate state, regional and local efforts to encourage the growth of Connecticut's defense and homeland security industry; (7) support the development of a Defense and Homeland Security Industry Cluster; (8) establish and coordinate a Connecticut Military and Defense Advisory Council to provide technical advice and assistance; and (9) oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Governor's Commission for the Economic Diversification of Southeastern Connecticut.

And...we all know that the new state Business Advocate is none other than former Congressman Rob Simmons, one of the major players in the BRAC fight from two years ago.

Not sure why the amendment never came up for a vote - or if, it might resurface when this proposal hits either the Senate or House floor for a final vote.

The legislature's finance committee this afternoon voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 937, an act that increases from $10 million to $50 million the amount the state can spend on enhancing the military value of the Groton Sub Base (in an effort to avoid future targeting of the base for closure) and creating an Office of Military Affairs. If created, that office will be run by an executive director appointed by the head of the Department of Economic & Community Development.

There was, however, an amendment being proposed that would add a whle new wrinkle to that idea. The amendment, however, was never called. But according to the legislature's Web page, this is what the amendment called for...

(g) The Business Advocate shall: (1) Coordinate state and local efforts to prevent the closure or downsizing of Connecticut military facilities, particularly the United States Naval Submarine Base-New London, located in Groton; (2) maximize the state's input into the federal Base Realignment and Closure or "BRAC" process, including, but not limited to, (A) act as a liaison to the state's congressional delegation on defense, military and BRAC issues, and (B) act as a liaison to consultant lobbyists hired by the state to assist in monitoring activities related to BRAC; (3) encourage the relocation of military missions to the state; (4) coordinate state and local efforts to enhance the quality of life of all branches of military personnel and their families living or working in Connecticut; (5) review and make recommendations for state policies that affect Connecticut's military facilities and defense and homeland security industries; (6) coordinate state, regional and local efforts to encourage the growth of Connecticut's defense and homeland security industry; (7) support the development of a Defense and Homeland Security Industry Cluster; (8) establish and coordinate a Connecticut Military and Defense Advisory Council to provide technical advice and assistance; and (9) oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Governor's Commission for the Economic Diversification of Southeastern Connecticut.

And...we all know that the new state Business Advocate is none other than former Congressman Rob Simmons, one of the major players in the BRAC fight from two years ago.

Not sure why the amendment never came up for a vote - or if, it might resurface when this proposal hits either the Senate or House floor for a final vote.

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